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Sparsity: meaning, definitions and examples

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sparsity

 

[ ˈspɑːsɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in statistics

Sparsity refers to the property of having very few non-zero elements in a dataset or mathematical structure. It is commonly used in the context of sparse matrices, where most of the elements are zero.

Synonyms

infrequency, rareness, scantiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sparsity

Used when discussing the lack or thin distribution of elements in a certain area or field. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

  • The sparsity of data made it difficult to draw conclusive results.
  • The sparsity of vegetation in the desert is quite remarkable.
scantiness

Often carries a negative connotation, implying an inadequacy or insufficient amount. Used mostly in critical or evaluative scenarios.

  • The scantiness of the food supply raised concerns about the survival of the community.
  • The scantiness of her research left many questions unanswered.
rareness

Used when talking about something that is uncommon or not easily found. It can carry a positive connotation when describing something valuable or special.

  • The rareness of the artifact made it a prized possession for the museum.
  • She marveled at the rareness of the blue diamond.
infrequency

Used to describe events or occurrences that do not happen often over a period of time. Mainly used in everyday language or formal writing.

  • The infrequency of his visits disappointed his family.
  • Infrequency of updates can make a software program obsolete quickly.

Examples of usage

  • The sparsity of the data matrix allowed for efficient storage and computation.
  • Sparse coding techniques take advantage of the sparsity present in the data.
Context #2 | Noun

in everyday language

Sparsity can refer to a state of being scarce or lacking in quantity. It often implies a sense of insufficiency or inadequacy.

Synonyms

dearth, paucity, scarcity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sparsity

Used to describe something that is thinly scattered or few and spread out, often in a physical or spatial sense.

  • The sparsity of trees in the desert made it look vast and empty
  • The sparsity of data points made it difficult to draw an accurate conclusion
scarcity

Implies a limited availability of resources, often leading to higher demand or value. It can be used in economic contexts or everyday situations.

  • Water scarcity is a major issue in many developing countries
  • The scarcity of rare minerals drives up their prices
dearth

Refers to a severe lack or shortage of something, often implying a negative consequence or problem due to the shortage.

  • There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city
  • The dearth of qualified teachers has affected the quality of education
paucity

Used to describe a small or insufficient quantity of something. It often has a formal or academic tone.

  • Research was challenging due to the paucity of empirical data
  • The paucity of food supplies has led to widespread hunger

Examples of usage

  • The sparsity of resources in the region led to widespread poverty.
  • The sparsity of options left us with limited choices.

Translations

Translations of the word "sparsity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esparsidade

🇮🇳 विरलता

🇩🇪 Sparsamkeit

🇮🇩 kekurangan

🇺🇦 рідкість

🇵🇱 rzadkość

🇯🇵 希薄

🇫🇷 rareté

🇪🇸 escasez

🇹🇷 seyreklik

🇰🇷 희소성

🇸🇦 ندرة

🇨🇿 řidkost

🇸🇰 riedkosť

🇨🇳 稀疏

🇸🇮 redkost

🇮🇸 fámenni

🇰🇿 тапшыдық

🇬🇪 ნაკლებობა

🇦🇿 nadirlik

🇲🇽 escasez

Etymology

The word 'sparsity' originated from the Latin word 'sparsum', which means scattered. It has been used in mathematics and statistics to describe datasets with a low density of non-zero elements. The concept of sparsity has gained importance in various fields such as machine learning, signal processing, and optimization.

See also: sparcity, sparse, sparsely.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,851 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.